Sir Alex Ferguson has warned that the Football Association’s decision not to
punish Sergio Agüero for his controversial challenge on David Luiz could
cost Tottenham Hotspur a Champions League place.

Spurs face City at home on Sunday and desperately need a win to maintain their challenge for a top-four place and with it Champions League football next season.

Agüero is available to play at White Hart Lane after the FA confirmed it would not retrospectively punish his tackle on Luiz despite widespread criticism of his actions, including from the Chelsea player himself.

Ferguson also said that not banning Agüero after the FA Cup semi-final last weekend could affect Manchester United, as City looked to extend their rivals’ wait to clinch the Premier League title, and reiterated his complaints at the decision not to send off Andy Carroll for a clash with goalkeeper David De Gea in United’s 2-2 draw at West Ham last Wednesday.

He said: “He [Agüero] might score on Sunday and cost Spurs a top four position. When you look at Agüero compared to Carroll, it does affect us. There isn’t much clarity [about the rule].

“I don’t know where they are with it. Andy Carroll doesn’t concern me, we don’t play against him again. Obviously it was a red card but he didn’t get it.”

The criticisms from Ferguson, whose side could seal a 20th league title if City lose today and United beat Aston Villa tomorrow, will cause irritation for the FA following his recent claims that Wayne Rooney had been “picked out by them for punishments” in the past.

The FA believes it has been unfairly blamed for the failure of the present system, which blew up after Wigan Athletic’s Callum McManaman was not punished for his horrific tackle on Newcastle United’s Massadio Haidara, and the definition of the circumstances under which they can take retrospective action.

As revealed by The Sunday Telegraph last month, the FA will push for a widening of the definition of what constitutes “exceptional circumstances”, making it easier to overrule an on-field decision by the match officials.

The catch at the moment is that in the cases cited a three-match ban would have been imposed and that does not constitute “exceptional”.

A change, proposed by the FA, was opposed last summer by football’s stakeholders – most notably the Professional Footballers’ Association and Premier League – but the FA will use the recent furore to push through a new definition at the meeting next month making it easier to punish in cases such as Agüero’s.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are continuing to consider Spurs head coach Andre Villas-Boas as a replacement for Jose Mourinho when he is expected to leave in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti remains the favourite for the Real job but Villas-Boas is admired by the Spanish club, who had considered making a move for him last year when it appeared Mourinho might leave then.